In a recent move aimed at protecting the privacy of employees and job applicants, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a new law last month, prohibiting all employers in New York City from searching the personal social media accounts of their employees or potential employees.
The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens) and Sen. Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-The Bronx) in their chambers, amends state labor laws to create a shield against individuals protect the digital privacy of individuals by preventing employers from accessing personal spaces among their employees.
The law is not an absolute lock on all online tests.
There are a few exceptions to this, such as allowing certain professional groups such as the police to access publicly available information on websites Employers also have the right to access employee login information for their internal company policies….
Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz emphasized the importance of the new law in an interview with the New York Post, noting the tremendous expansion of social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Threads, which have made personal information more accessible They were working too hard
He expressed concern, “This includes unreasonable requests for access to social media usernames and passwords and personal email and other ultra-private accounts from potential current clients. Such requests represent privacy breach. “Gross violations on the part of the employer and raising concerns about unfairness and discriminatory hiring practices.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul, who signed the bill into law explained that its decision was aimed at protecting the privacy of New Yorkers and ensuring that their rights in the workplace were upheld.
The move represents a significant step toward maintaining the digital privacy and personal space of employees and job seekers in New York State.